Confusion Over Promotion Orders in Maharashtra Police Force

A major confusion has arisen regarding promotions in the Maharashtra Police force. An order to promote 364 Assistant Police Inspectors to the rank of Inspector was issued by the Director General's office on August 21. However, this order was canceled within just one day, leading to criticism of the Director General's office.

In 2004, the 52% reservation implemented for backward classes included 33% reservation in promotions. Vijay Ghogare filed a petition in the High Court regarding this. In 2017, the court clarified in its verdict that reservation in promotions is not possible. Although the state government challenged this verdict in the Supreme Court, a stay has not yet been granted.

Meanwhile, in 2021, a promotion policy based on merit was implemented. However, on July 29, 2025, the state government reopened the path for reservation-based promotions. Against this, some officers from the open category and employees from the ministry filed a petition in MAT. During the hearing, MAT instructed the state government to ensure that the High Court's verdict is not violated.

After this development, the decision of promotion taken by the Director General of Police's office had to be withdrawn. According to the order issued by Special Inspector General of Police (Establishment) Supriya Patil-Yadav, instructions have been given not to relieve the officers who were announced for promotion, and if they have been relieved, to send them back to their original department. This development has provided great relief to more than 500 police officers in the open category.